Common Council

A REGULAR MEETING OF THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BECKLEY CONVENED AT 6:31 PM ON DECEMBER 14, 2021, BY WEB-X DUE TO COVID-19. THOSE PRESENT: Mayor Robert R. Rappold, Recorder-Treasurer Billie Trump, City Attorney Bill File, Secretary Susan Miller, IT Director, Bill Kelly, Assistant IT Director, Amy Evans, Council Members: Cody Reedy, Tom Sopher, Robert Dunlap, Bob Canter, and Kevin Price. The following Department Heads were present: Captain Parsons of Beckley FD Ernie Parsons and Captain of FD and Chief Code Official Donnie Morgan. Guest speaker from the Raleigh County EOC 911 Center, Richard Filipek. THOSE ABSENT: Councilwomen Sherrie Hunter and Janine Bullock. The Mayor reminded the public that they will be able to make comments when invited to do so by either pressing *3 on their phone and their call will be taken in the order it is received, or if viewing by computer or tablet, raising your hand by right clicking your name and choosing "Raise Hand". The Mayor called the meeting to order at 6:31 p.m. Council members, Department Heads and the public joined the meeting by WEB-X either from their computer, or by phone, using the weblink or phone number provided the day of the meeting on the City’s webpage at Beckley.org or the City’s Facebook page. Council dispensed with the reading and approval of minutes from the regular Council meeting dated November 9, 2021, copies of which had been distributed to each member. Council unanimously approved the minutes as written on a motion by Councilman Sopher and seconded by Councilman Price. Council dispensed with the reading and approval of minutes from the special Council meeting dated November 22, 2021, copies of which had been distributed to each member. Council unanimously approved the minutes as written on a motion by Councilman Dunlap and seconded by Councilman Reedy. Council dispensed with the reading and approval of minutes from the special Council meeting dated November 29, 2021, copies of which had been distributed to each member. Council unanimously approved the minutes as written on a motion by Councilman Dunlap and seconded by Councilman Price. Next, Mr. File summarized an ordinance titled Ordinance To Provide For An Amendment To The Traffic Control Map – Other Than Parking – And Traffic Control File – Requiring Vehicles Traveling On Prince Street From The Intersection Of North Kanawha Street And Prince Street To Travel In Two West Bound Lanes To The Intersection Of Leslie C. Gates Place And Prince Street. Mr. File said if passed tonight on first reading, the second reading and public hearing will take place during the December 28, 2021, Council meeting. Mr. File read the ordinance by title only. Council unanimously approved the Ordinance on a motion made by Councilman Reedy and seconded by Councilman Canter. The ordinance is hereby incorporated into these minutes. Next, a resolution for a JAG (Justice Assistance Grant) in the amount of $15,000.00 for a Prevention Resource Officer for Woodrow Wilson High School was unanimously approved by Council on a motion by Councilman Price and seconded by Councilman Dunlap. The resolution is hereby incorporated into these minutes. Recorder-Treasurer Billie Trump received and opened the only bid submitted for block to be used for a retaining wall at the Scott Avenue Park for a new basketball court. The grand total of the bid from Foster Supply, Inc. of Teays Valley is $ 44,275.70. The bid will be forwarded to the two Council persons at Large, Councilman Reedy and Councilwoman Hunter, Director of Board of Public Works, Jerry Stump and Recorder Treasurer, Billie Trump for review and possible award at a future Council meeting. The bid is hereby incorporated into these minutes. Guest speaker, Richard Filipek with the Raleigh County EOC 911 expressed appreciation for the City's support throughout the year. Mr. Filipek gave their annual update. As of today, the EOC has received a total of 53,979 emergency 911 calls. The total administrative calls are 81,184. The total calls received both 911 and administrative are 135,163. The total calls dispatched is 76,306. The total of calls dispatched from the Raleigh County Sherriff's Office is 21,924. The total calls dispatched to the WV State Police is 2,132. The total calls dispatched to the Beckley City Police Department is 30,802. The total calls dispatched to the Sophia Police Department is 3,251. The total calls dispatched to the Lester Police Department is 257. The total calls dispatched to the Mabscott Police Department is 521. Total traffic stops from the Raleigh County Sherriff's Office is 2,825. Total extra patrols for the Raleigh County Sherriff's Office are 512. Traffic stops from the City of Beckley Police are 5,314. Total extra patrols for the City of Beckley Police are 7,443. The total of calls dispatched from Raleigh County Animal Control is 1,973. The total EMS calls for Raleigh County is 15,024. Raleigh County calls due to fire are 5,774. The City of Beckley fire calls dispatched are 2,921. The EOC and the Raleigh County Health Dept. work hand in hand with emergency management. The EOC immediately provides pandemic related services to the Raleigh County Health Department. Mr. Filipek said that the EOC has measures in place to help protect our First Responders. The EOC is still working on the Southern Regional Deployment Center which is the nine-county area. The EOC has updated its emergency operations plan and will provide the City copies. Mr. Filipek thanked the City again. The Mayor said that the City couldn't function effectively without the EOC and commended the dispatchers and employees for their hard work. The Mayor said that the EOC has great leadership, trained employees that operate with perfection, and the numbers that Mr. Filipek shared are astounding. The Mayor thanked the EOC and invited any comments from members of Council. Councilman Price said the EOC has created a fully functioning back up 911 center in a separate building in the deployment center. For the first time in history, the actual 911 center (as we all know it) recently was empty and operations successfully took place elsewhere. Councilman Price commended all the leaders and employees for their great work. The Mayor said that we are fortunate to see the EOC grow and meet new challenges. OLD BUSINESS: The Mayor said he appreciates the keen attention and interest from each Council member in what the City is accomplishing at Pinecrest, and if nothing occurs otherwise the City is expected to have two readings of the ordinance in January 2022 for the acceptance of the Pinecrest property. The Mayor said that the City is working with the Pinecrest Development Board and NRGRDA on details regarding proper management of the property going forward. NEW BUSINESS: Councilman Sopher said that the speed limit on Clarence W. Meadows Blvd. is 50 mph and the Beckley PD is enforcing the speed limit in that area. PUBLIC COMMENTS: There were no public comments. With no further business to discuss a motion to adjourn was made by Councilman Dunlap and seconded by Councilman Price. The Mayor adjourned the meeting at 6:55 p.m. _______________________________ ________________________________ Mayor Recorder-Treasurer